Rare Symmetry / Fade Into You
American Football / Rare Symmetry/Fade Into You / 2022 / PRC-459
If you have been a fan of any part of the emo scene, you are probably well versed with American Football. College friends Mike Kinsella (Guitar), Steve Holmes (Guitar), and Steve Lamos (Drums / Trumpet) formed the band in 1997 in Urbana, Illinois and started playing their uniquely written tunes at many house shows off-campus. After the quiet release of their self-titled album in 1999, the band dissolved as they each parted ways upon graduating. It wasn’t until 15 years later that American Football really began to gain traction as their fanbase grew throughout the underground emo scene. In 2014 they reformed during the “emo revival” movement and reissued their first LP through Polyvinyl. Considered by many to be essential autumn listening, American Football is an enormous influence for much of what is now considered “mid-west emo”. To this day, they are one of the best bands I have ever seen live.
In 2021 American Football and Polyvinyl dropped a post on Instagram that got me pretty excited - a fresh single and a cover being pressed on 10” dark green vinyl. The single, titled Rare Symmetry, rides the wave from LP3 (all American Football albums are self titled) that continues the bands expression of vibronic energy with mature themes. The track features plenty of vibraphone and glockenspiel as the looping guitars interact with one another. Kinsella’s ghostly “ooo’s” and “aaa’s” enter through the chorus and fade away as the delayed auxiliary percussion is sprinkled into the drums rhythm. Nate’s (Mike’s cousin) bass lines throughout are pronounced and really carry the track to the end. It’s a beautiful, ethereal track that could fit perfectly anywhere on LP3. Side B is Mazzy Star’s 1993 Fade Into You - an artist and track I honestly didn’t know existed until I heard this cover. After listening to both, I can fairly say that American Football did a gorgeous job at putting their own finesse on this waltz style track. I’m a sucker for the pedal steel guitar gently easing it’s way through. Miya Folick’s featured vocals do a remarkable job in covering Mazzy’s. And the whole thing is capped off with some gleaming trumpet from Lamos.
Rare Symmetry / Fade Into You were produced by Nate Kinsella. The cover artwork was photographed by Chris Strong. A music video for Fade Into You can be checked out here: American Football - Fade Into You [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
